asked the Minister for Transport and Power if an increase will be made in the pensions at present being paid to employees of the GNR and CIE who retired prior to 1963.
79.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Transport Employees' Pensions.
78.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether he is yet in a position to state that CIE pensioners are likely to obtain an increase in their present rather meagre allowances.
80.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if in view of the serious hardships being suffered by many CIE pensioners and the steadily depreciating value of money, he will take immediate steps to have these pensions substantially increased.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 78, 79 and 80 together.
As recommended by the Commission on CIE Pensions and Sickness Benefit Payments in March, 1964, pensions payable to ex-employees of CIE retired since 1st April, 1963, are intended, together with social welfare benefits, to provide a total income of about two-thirds of retiring wages.
In relation to pension increases to the wages grade pensioners who retired before 1st April, 1963, and who were not included in the recommendations of the Commission on CIE Pensions and Sickness Benefit Payments, I have already indicated in reply to previous questions that I am having the whole position of this group of pensioners examined at present. I am not yet in a position to make a statement in the matter, but I hope to be able to do so in the near future.
Does the last group include the GNR pensioners?
Yes, all the pre-1963 CIE and GNR pensioners. They are in the same category.
That is grand.